Device communication, monitoring and control architecture and method

ABSTRACT

A communication interface and a device control, management and monitoring system are provided to enable the networking of and communication between a multiple devices operating under different protocols. The communication interface may act as a translator or protocol converter that reformats transmissions from one protocol to another based on protocol compatibility between the recipient and transmitting devices. The device control and monitoring system may store predefined rules that are triggered when specified conditions associated with the networked devices are detected. The rules may specify an action to take such as transmitting a discount offer to a user or turning off a light. According to one or more arrangements, the communication interface may act as an intermediary between the networked devices and the device control system so that the device control system is not required to understand or be compatible with the various other protocols used by the networked devices.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a communication interfacefor multiple devices. In particular, aspects describe an interfaceconfigured to facilitate communications with a variety of devices.

BACKGROUND

Today, device to human and vice versa interaction is performed throughspecialized interfaces written specifically for a particular device.This typically requires specific interfaces for each device whencommunicating between one device and multiple other devices. Forexample, in order to command or interact with 5 different devices, auser or device may require 5 different interfaces that are eachprogrammed to be compatible with a corresponding device. This oftenresults in devices not being able to communicate with one another due toa lack of interfacing capability and compatibility or having to havemultiple interfaces to provide such compatibility.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects. It is not intended toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate thescope thereof. The following summary merely presents some concepts ofthe disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription provided below.

According to one or more aspects, a communication interface is providedto facilitate communication between multiple similar and differentdevices. While each of the devices may operate under a different set ofprotocols, the communication interface may be configured to convert orreformat transmissions into a protocol that is compatible with aparticular device. In one or more arrangements, the communicationinterface may allow several home or user devices to communicate with oneanother and to send and receive information to and from a device controlsystem. For example, microwave status information may be sent to aset-top box that is configured to display the microwave information(e.g., if cooking is completed) on a display so that a user does notneed to leave the display to check on the microwave. In another example,an indoor thermostat setting may be controlled through a user's cellphone or through the television.

According to another aspect, a device control system may perform apredefined action such as controlling the operation of devices based ondetected conditions. For example, a device control system mayautomatically lower electronic blinds in a home upon detection that amovie has begun playing (or is about to begin playing) based on statusinformation received from a DVD player or television. In anotherexample, a device control system may be configured to automaticallytransmit discount offers to a user upon detecting a user's electricityusage being above average. The device control system may detect suchconditions based on signals and information received from a variety ofdevices such as thermostats, doors, motion sensors, home appliances,display devices, mobile devices and the like. The signals from thesedevices may first be converted to a protocol compatible with the devicecontrol system by the communication interface. In one or morearrangements, the device control system may reside at a serviceprovider's location.

According to yet another aspect, a communication interface may serve asa network interface, creating a network between devices that mightotherwise not have the capability to communicate with one another. Thecommunication interface may further collect device information and sendan aggregation of the information to another device for processing.

The details of these and other embodiments of the present disclosure areset forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network environment according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device management system and communicationinterface according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling oneor more devices according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for registering adevice with a communication interface and/or a device control systemaccording to one or more aspects described herein.

FIGS. 5A & 5B illustrate user interfaces that may be used to registerand configure devices according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for defining adevice control rule according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for facilitatingcommunication among devices according to one or more aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment 100 that may be used inconnection with one or more aspects described herein. The networkenvironment 100 may include a private media distribution network 103connecting a service provider network 105 with one or more clientdevices 111. Private media distribution network 103 may, in one or morearrangements, require a subscription to the services provided by serviceprovider network 105 to access the content, services and other dataoffered therethrough. Private media distribution network 103 may, in oneor more alternative or additional arrangements, enforce accessrestriction based on location, size, demographics, user information andthe like. For example, a private media distribution network 103 may bedefined as a network within an office building or home. In anotherexample, private media distribution network 103 may be defined as anetwork including no more than 100 users. In yet another example,private media distribution network 103 may be defined based onboundaries of a physical network infrastructure or by users that pay orsubscribe to a particular service. Combinations of factors may also beused. For example, private media distribution network 103 may beconfigured to include the first 100 users logged in from an officebuilding or other specified location (e.g., a café). Alternatively,network 105 may be a free or public network that users may accesswithout subscriptions or other types of payment.

According to one or more aspects, a service provider (e.g., of serviceprovider network 105) may provide subscriber devices such as clientdevices 111 a, 111 b and/or 111 e, and provide such devices with accessto a local or wide area network such as the Internet. Thus, clientdevices 111 a, 111 b and/or 111 e may request information from serversand devices including website server 113 a and content server 113 bthrough media distribution network 103 and service provider network 105.Service provider network 105 may comprise a single distribution systemor may include multiple systems having servers 110. In one example,private media distribution network 103 may comprise a wireless, coaxial,cable and/or fiber optic (or a hybrid combination thereof) networkconfigured to facilitate communication of data, messages, content,commands and other information between client devices 111 and serviceprovider network 105. For example, network 103 may comprise opticalconnections between a service provider and an external unit (e.g., asignal amplifier) of a user location. Connections between the externalunit and devices within the user location or premises may comprisecoaxial wires or lines. The network may, alternatively, be configuredsuch that the service provider transmits data over coaxial wiring to anamplifier or node and subsequently over fiber optic from the amplifieror node to individual user locations (e.g., if the node or amplifier isconfigured to service multiple user locations). Portions of a networkmay further comprise satellite connections or wireless connections(e.g., WiMAX, cellular, 802.11). For example, a content provider mayreceive content and other data through satellite communications anddeliver it to users through the same, different or a combination ofcommunication mediums. Alternatively or additionally, client devices 111may have direct connections to other networks such as wide area network107. Accordingly, client devices 111 may access website server 113 athrough a direct connection to wide area network 107 rather than throughprivate media distribution network 103.

Client devices 111 may include a wide variety of systems including, forexample, mobile communication device 111 a, personal computer 111 b,security system 111 c, lighting systems/devices 111 d, set-top boxes 111e, televisions 111 f, thermostats 111 g and the like. Each of clientdevices 111 may communicate using a different protocol. For example,mobile communication device 111 a may send and receive data using TCP/IPwhile lighting systems/devices 111 d may transmit status signals usingExtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). In yet otherexamples, security system 111 c may be configured to communicate usingZIGBEE protocol while thermostat 111 g may be configured to communicateusing SIP/SIMPLE (Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging andPresence Leveraging Extensions). Other device control and communicationprotocols may include Ethernet, HOMEPLUG (IEEE P1901), UniversalPowerline Bus (UPB), BLUETOOTH, IRDA (Infrared Data Association) and thelike. Accordingly, in one or more arrangements, private mediadistribution network 103 may include a communication interface 109 thatacts as a single interface and protocol conversion system for thesewired and wireless client devices 111 that may use differingcommunication protocols. For example, communication interface 109 may becompatible with all of the various protocols used by client devices 111and provide protocol conversion functionality so that client devices 111may communicate with one another and with service provider network 105without having to understand the other protocols.

Using the communication interface 109, a user may thus turn off lightingsystem 111 d using mobile communication device 111 a by sending aninstruction from device 111 a to communication interface 109, which maythen convert the instruction to a protocol understood by lighting system111 d and forwarding the instruction to lighting system 111 d. Moreover,communication interface 109 may be configured to identify the protocolin which communication and/or data is sent or received and to convertthe data and information to a protocol compatible with one or moresystems of service provider network 105. Such conversion may allow theone or more systems of service provider network 105 to monitor andcontrol devices 111. For example, a service provider may automaticallycontrol lighting (e.g., dimming or brightening) in a user's home inresponse to determining that the user has ordered and/or begun playing amovie. Other examples and details of device control are describedherein. Alternatively or additionally, data and information receivedfrom the service provider network 105 that is to be sent to one or moreof devices 111 may be converted by communication interface 109 inaccordance with one or more protocols understood by the one or more ofdevices 111. The above described configuration and network environment100 thus allows for, according to one or more aspects, the remotecontrol, management and monitoring of devices 111 by service providernetwork 105. For example, devices 111 may comprise a plurality of homeand user devices such as home appliances, utility systems, consumerelectronics and the like. In one or more arrangements, devices 111 maycomprise customer premises equipment that are located within a singlelocation associated with a customer or user. Customer premises mayinclude an office, office building, areas within the office (e.g.,floors), a user's home, rooms within the home and the like. The statusand operation of such devices (e.g., an operation parameter of a device)may thus be controlled and monitored by service provider network 105 orthe user for further home automation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computing system 200 that may be used in thenetwork environment 100 of FIG. 1. In one example, computing system 200may operate as a communication interface (e.g., interface 109 of FIG.1). Computing system 200 may include a processor 201, random accessmemory (RAM) 203, read only memory (ROM) 205, network adapter 207,input/output adapter 209 and database 211. Processor 201 may operate toperform mathematical calculations and other processes to assist in theexecution of computer executable instructions. RAM 203 and ROM 205 maybe configured to temporarily or permanently store the computerexecutable instructions for retrieval and execution. Network adapter 207is configured to facilitate communication over various types of networkswith one or more other devices such as devices 213. In one or morearrangements, the network adapter 207 may be compatible with andconfigured to communicate in multiple communication protocols such asTCP/IP, ZIGBEE, SIP/SIMPLE, HOMEPLUG and/or XMPP. Input/output adapter209 may be configured to receive data from various input devices such askeyboards, mice, styluses, microphones, video cameras and the like.Input/output adapter 209 may further be configured to output data to oneor more output devices (not shown) such as displays, speakers, tactilefeedback devices and the like.

Operating as a gateway or communication interface such as interface 109of FIG. 1, computing system 200 may be configured to convert signalsfrom a first protocol, e.g., protocol A, into one or more otherprotocols such as protocols B and C and vice versa. These signals may beconverted into protocols B and C, respectively, if devices 213 a and 213b are incompatible with protocol A. In one arrangement, computing system200 may be configured to provide a communication interface for a devicemanagement system 215. Device management system 215 may comprise aservice provider system configured to monitor and control one or moredevices located at a user location. Because device management system 215might, in one or more configurations, only be compatible with a singlecommunication protocol, computing system 200 may be used to interpret orconvert communications formatted according to a variety of protocols(e.g., from devices 213) to the device management system-compatibleprotocol. In one example, signals received from device 213 a in TCP/IPformat may be converted into an XMPP or other format compatible withdevice management system 215 prior to transmission to device managementsystem 215. These signals may include data such as sensor data, statusinformation, user input, commands or instructions and/or combinationsthereof. Thus, using such a configuration, computing system 200 mayallow a user to turn off a light using a set-top box device by acting asan interpreter between different communication protocols, for example.In another example, computing system 200 may allow a user to viewtemperature information detected by a home temperature sensor on theuser's cell phone by acting as a communication intermediary between thetemperature sensor and the user's cell phone. System 200 may storedevice-protocol compatibility information in, for example, database 211.

Device management system 215 may include components similar to thosedescribe above with respect to computing system 200. Device managementsystem 215 may be configured to modify the operation or an operationparameter of one or more device such as devices 213 upon detection of anevent and/or based on a predefined rule. For example, upon detection ofthe temperature sensed by device 213 b reaching a threshold temperature,device management system 215 may transmit a signal to device 213 a toautomatically lower window shades. The operation parameter in theforegoing example may include the height or position of the windowshade. Other examples of operation parameters may include a volumelevel, an on/off/standby status or operating mode of a device, atemperature level, a time setting (e.g., for an alarm or programmablethermostat) and the like. Device management system 215 may be located ata service provider's location (e.g., service provider network 105 ofFIG. 1) and receive device information from computing system 200 in aparticular protocol such as XMPP, ZIGBEE, SIP/SIMPLE, Ethernet,Universal Powerline and the like. In one example, the service provider'slocation may be remote from a user premises where computing system 200and one or more devices 213 are located. Computing system 200 anddevices 213 may be co-located or placed at the same location. Thiseliminates the need for device management system 215 to understand avariety of protocols. Instead, device management system 215 might onlyneed to understand a single protocol, e.g., protocol A, forcommunicating with computing system 200. Accordingly, device managementsystem 215 may transmit information, instructions and/or commands todevices 213 in a single protocol format, using computing system 200 asan intermediary translation mechanism.

Further, in one or more arrangements, the functionality of computingsystem 200 and device management system 215 may be combined into asingle device that is resident at either the service provider locationor locally at a subscriber location.

According to one or more aspects, a device management system such assystem 215 (FIG. 2) is configured to collect information from a varietyof devices, including home and user devices to determine whether anaction is to be performed. Such actions may include the activation of anin-home device or a non-home device such as a device external to thehome, the transmission of a discount offer or other promotional item,transmission of a notification message to a user and the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for monitoring information from multiplehome devices and triggering an action based on a predefined rule. Instep 300, a device management system may receive a signal from one ormore devices in a home or other location. The signal may be formattedaccording to a protocol compatible with the device management system andinclude information such as a status of the device, user input (e.g.,instructions or commands) through the device, sensor data determined bythe device and/or combinations thereof. Devices may be registered withthe device management system in various manners as described in furtherdetail herein.

In step 305, the device management system may compare the informationreceived in the signal with one or more predefined rules. The rules maybe user-defined or may be defined by a service provider. In one example,a rule may specify that if light and temperature data indicate that auser is not at home, the device control system may automaticallyactivate the security system if it is not already activated. In thisexample, the predefined rule may state that the action (e.g., turning onof the security system) is to be performed in response to determiningthat the lights are off, that the temperature is below 65° F., and thatthe security system is in an unarmed or deactivated state. Devicemanagement system may thus compare the information received from clientdevices such as a light sensor or a lamp, a temperature sensor orthermostat and a security system to the condition parameters of therule. In step 310, the device management system may determine whetherthe rule has been triggered. In the above example, if the receiveddevice information indicates that the temperature is below 65° F., thatthe lights are off, and that the security system is unarmed, the rulemay be triggered. If the rule has not been triggered, the devicemanagement system may continue to monitor the registered devices in step315.

If, however, a rule has been triggered, the device management system maysubsequently determine an action to take in step 320 and a user ordevice associated with the action to be taken in step 325. For example,using the security system activation example, the device managementsystem may determine that the action to be taken is activation of adevice and identify the device to include the security system. Theactions and devices may be identified in the rule. In another example, arule may specify automatically lowering a thermostat to 70° F. when asecurity system is activated and the lights are turned off. In yet otherexamples, a rule may provide instructions to offer a user a discount intelevision services if the user lowers his thermostat to 72° F. or loweror allows his utility usage information to be published to a thirdparty. Such an incentive may be provided by a utilities company todecrease the amount of stress on the company's systems during extremeweather conditions. The rule may be triggered, for instance, if aninterior thermostat reading at a home or other building is above 72° F.and an exterior weather gauge indicates a temperature of below 32° F. Insuch an example, the action to be taken may be identified astransmission of a notification including the incentive and the devicemay be identified as a cellular phone of the user.

In still another example, sound sensors may provide data to a devicemanagement system to indicate a location of occupants of a room orbuilding (e.g., whether a person is upstairs or downstairs). A devicemanagement rule may specify an action to automatically transfer anyvideo being watched on a downstairs video rendering device to anupstairs video rendering device upon detecting a change in theoccupants' location from downstairs to upstairs. Alternatively oradditionally, the device management rule may include an instruction tolower a thermostat for a lower level temperature control zone and toraise the thermostat in an upper level temperature control zone (e.g.,during cold weather). Alternatively, the instructions may includeraising a thermostat in the lower level temperature zone and lowering anupper level temperature zone (e.g., during warm weather).

Upon determining the action to be taken and the devices associated withthose actions, the device management system may generate an appropriateinstruction or message in step 330. The message and/or instructions maythen be transmitted to an intended recipient device in step 335. Theinstruction or message may initially be formatted according to aprotocol compatible with the device management system and in someinstances, with the intended recipient device. However, in one or morearrangements, the protocol might not be compatible with the intendedrecipient device (e.g., a security system). In such cases, the messagemay be transmitted through an intermediary interface system such ascommunication interface 109 of FIG. 1. The communication interface maybe configured to automatically translate or convert the message from acurrent protocol to a protocol compatible with the intended recipientdevice. In one example, a protocol compatible with the intendedrecipient device may be stored by the device management system (e.g.,system 215 of FIG. 2) and identified to the communication interface(e.g., interface 109 of FIG. 1 or computing system 200 of FIG. 2).Alternatively or additionally, protocol compatibility information may bestored at the communication interface system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method by which one or more devices may beregistered with the device management system and/or the communicationinterface system. In step 400, a registration system may receivenotification of a new device being connected to a network. For example,the network may comprise a network hosted by the communication interfacesystem or device management system. The notification may comprise apolling message automatically sent by the new device to detect otherdevices on the network. Alternatively or additionally, the registrationsystem may detect the new device sending out periodic or aperiodicpolling messages to all devices connected to the network. Upon detectionof the new device, the registration system may determine whether thedevice is compatible with a specified protocol X (e.g., XMPP, ZIGBEE,SIP/SIMPLE, TCP/IP, Z-wave) in step 405. This determination may be madeby sending a query to the new device using protocol X and determining ifan appropriate reply was received. If the new device is not compatiblewith protocol X, the registration system may request manual entry ofdevice information such as a serial number, identification of compatibleprotocols, device type, device capabilities (e.g., sensors, actions,etc.) and the like in step 415. If, on the other hand, the new device iscompatible with protocol X, the device information may be requesteddirectly from the device in step 410. Alternatively or additionally, theregistration system may attempt communication using other protocolsuntil a response is received from the new device (e.g., finding aprotocol that is compatible with the new device). If no response isreceived from the new device after a set of protocols known to theregistration system have been tested or after a certain time period, theregistration system may resort to requesting manual entry as describedwith respect to step 415.

Once the device information has been collected, the registration systemmay allow a user to configure the device role and permissions in step420. A device role may include a sender, a receiver or both. A senderincludes a device that is configured to transmit information to otherdevices while a receiver device is configured to receive informationfrom other devices. Thus, in some examples, a device might be designateda receiver if it is only able to receive data but not transmit data.Similarly, if a device is able to send data but not receive data, it mayreceive a role designation of a sender. Device permissions may includespecification of device information or functionality that is allowed tobe accessed by other devices. For example, permissions may include adesignation of whether device A is allowed to access temperatureinformation of the device and whether device B is permitted to activatea precipitation information collection sensor of the device. In one ormore arrangements, device permissions may also include permissions forwhether the device is allowed to transmit certain types of information.

In step 425, the registration system may further receive data accessprivilege or entitlement information for the device. Such informationmay identify both the information streams which the device is authorizedto receive as well as the devices authorized to access the new device'sinformation stream. One example of a data stream is a utilitiesinformation stream that distributes information regarding the utilitiesbeing used in a particular location and/or by a particular individual asdetermined by devices connected to the network. Devices may also beassigned roles such as listener or contributor or both in the stream.Thus, a cell phone used to monitor electricity usage may be authorizedto access the information stream as a listener but not a contributorsince the cell phone might not produce utilities usage information. Athermostat, on the other hand, may be authorized to access theinformation stream as a contributor but not a listener if the thermostatis not used to process utility information of other devices. In step430, the registration system may store the registration information andconfiguration of the new device and transmit confirmation of such to auser and/or the new device.

FIGS. 5A & 5B illustrate a series of interfaces through which a newdevice may be registered and configured. In FIG. 5A, interface 500 maybe configured to receive information including device name 501, devicetype 503, device driver 505 and compatible protocols 509. Device name501 may comprise a text input field, allowing a user to manually specifythe device name. Device type 503 may be specified using browse function507 a, selection of which may cause a pop-up window or other interfaceto be displayed. Through the pop-up window or other interface, a usermay select one or more predefined device types (e.g., X brand lightswitch, Model S Security System). The use of predefined device types mayallow the registration system to use predefined configurationinformation and settings for each particular type of device. In one ormore arrangements, device driver 505 may be automatically populated uponselection of a device type. Alternatively or additionally, a user mayoverride the automatically selected driver or otherwise enter apreferred driver by selecting browse function 507 b. The user may thenbe provided with a browsing window through which the user may identifythe appropriate driver file. Protocol selection 509 may be performedthrough a selection window 511 that lists the protocols known oravailable to the registration system. The user may be allowed to selectone or more of the protocols as appropriate. If the user makes one ormore mistakes or wishes to start over, reset option 513 may be used.Alternatively or additionally, the user may save the registrationinformation using option 515 and continue to a next configuration screenusing option 517 once the registration information is finalized andconfirmed.

FIG. 5B illustrates interface 520 that may, in one or more arrangements,be displayed as a configuration interface following interface 500 (e.g.,upon selection of continue option 517 of FIG. 5A). Configurationinterface 520 may include options for selecting device role 521 andsetting device permissions 523. Device role 521 may be selected using adrop down menu listing the available role settings while permissions 523may be configured using controls 529 and 531. For example, deletecontrol 529 may delete a device from the list while add control 531 maybe used to add a device for which permissions are to be specified orcustomized. If the permission settings for device 1 525 a or device 2525 b need to be further modified, the user may use one of modificationoptions 527 corresponding to the device for which settings are to bechanged. If a device is not listed under permissions 523, the device maybe considered to have a default set of permissions. In one example, thedefault set of permissions may include permission to access all data andfunctionality.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method by which device control rules may beconfigured according to one or more aspects described herein. In step600, a device control system may receive a request to define a devicecontrol rule. In response, the system may request and receive conditionparameters that are to be satisfied under the rule in step 605.Condition parameters may include a temperature threshold, an activationstatus of a system (e.g., security system, a television, a computer), atime of day, reception of user input, status of a door (e.g., open orclosed) or a lock thereof, and/or combinations thereof. In one example,conditions for a rule may include the time being between the hours of 9AM and 6 PM and the temperature setting being above 70° F.

Once the rule conditions have been defined, the device control systemmay further request and receive an action to be taken when the rule istriggered or satisfied in step 610. The action may further includeidentification of one or more devices and an operation parameter thereofthat is to be modified and/or identification of a user to which amessage is to be sent. In one example, the action may be defined aslowering the volume on television or other content rendering device inresponse to determining that a user's cell phone is located in avicinity of the television (e.g., in the same house or building) and theuser's cell phone is receiving a telephone call.

In step 615, the rule may be stored upon the various parameters beingdefined. The rule may be stored in association with the one or moredevices to which it is applicable. Using such a storage mechanism, thedevice control system may look-up applicable rules based on the devicesfrom which information is being received and/or to which information isto be transmitted. Accordingly, the device control system might not needto parse through all stored rules, even those that do not relate to thedevices transmitting status information. In step 620, the device controlsystem may begin monitoring the signal transmitted by devices in thenetwork to determine if a rule has been triggered.

In some arrangements, a device control system such as system 215 of FIG.2 might only be compatible or be able to understand a singlecommunication protocol. However, the devices that the system controlsmay communicate in a variety of protocols. Accordingly, a translation orconversion process may be used to provide signals and information to andfrom the device control system and the devices based on compatibility.FIG. 7 illustrates a method whereby a communication interface (e.g.,computing system 200 of FIG. 2 and/or interface 109 of FIG. 1) includesprotocol conversion functionality. For example, the communicationinterface may receive a signal in a first protocol format and modify thesignal into a second protocol format prior to delivery of the signal toa recipient device. In step 700, the communication interface may receiveand store registration information including protocol compatibilityinformation from each of the devices in the network. In step 705, thecommunication interface may receive a transmission formatted accordingto a first protocol from a first device in the network. For example, thetransmission may be received from a microwave, where the transmission isformatted according to a Z-WAVE control protocol. In another example,the transmission from the microwave may be formatted according toSIP/SIMPLE or ZIGBEE communication protocol.

In step 710, the communication interface may determine one or moresecond devices to which the transmission is to be delivered. Thisdetermination may be performed using address information in thetransmission or, alternatively or additionally, data access privilege orentitlement information. For example, if devices 2, 3 and 4 are allauthorized to access a service for monitoring the status of device 1,the destination devices for the transmission may be identified asdevices 2, 3 and 4. In one or more configurations, determination ofdestination devices may also be based on a content of the transmissionand/or permission settings. For example, if device 2 is authorized toaccess a service for monitoring the status of device 1, but permissionsettings of device 1 disallows the transmission of status information todevice 2, device 2 might not be identified as a destination device forthe transmission.

Once the destination devices have been identified, the communicationinterface may, in step 715, determine the protocols used or preferred byeach of the identified devices. The communication interface may thenconvert the transmission into each of the determined protocols in step720. In one example, the communication interface may extract theinformation communicated using ZIGBEE or IRDA communication protocol andreformat or re-packetize the data according to a second protocol such asSIP/SIMPLE. The converted signal may then be transmitted to theircorresponding destination devices in step 725. As noted herein, theprocess described with respect to FIG. 7 allows a device such as adevice control system to use a single communication interface incommunication with a variety of other devices that might not operateusing the same protocols. Accordingly, the device control system mayexpand its reach and application regardless of communication protocolcompatibility.

The methods and features recited herein may further be implementedthrough any number of computer readable media (e.g., memory) that areable to store computer readable instructions. Examples of computerreadable media that may be used include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memoryor other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic storage and the like.

Additionally or alternatively, in at least some embodiments, the methodsand features recited herein may be implemented through one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs). An integrated circuit may, for example, be amicroprocessor that accesses programming instructions or other datastored in a read only memory (ROM). In some such embodiments, the ROMstores programming instructions that cause the IC to perform operationsaccording to one or more of the methods described herein. In at leastsome other embodiments, one or more of the methods described herein arehardwired into an IC. In other words, the IC is in such cases anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having gates and otherlogic dedicated to the calculations and other operations describedherein. In still other embodiments, the IC may perform some operationsbased on execution of programming instructions read from ROM or RAM,with other operations hardwired into gates and other logic of the IC.Further, the IC may output image data to a display buffer.

Although specific examples of carrying out the invention have beendescribed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there arenumerous variations and permutations of the above-described systems andmethods that are contained within the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims. Additionally, numerous otherembodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit ofthe appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the artfrom a review of this disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a user premises devicemanagement system, a first signal from a first user premises deviceindicative of a condition associated with the first user premisesdevice; receiving, at the user premises device management system, asecond signal from a second user premises device indicative of acondition associated with the second user premises device; determining,by the user premises device management system, a rule based on thecondition associated with the first user premises device and thecondition associated with the second user premises device, wherein therule associates the condition indicated in the first signal and thecondition indicated in the second signal to a modification to anoperation parameter of a third user premises device different from thefirst user premises device and the second user premises device, whereinthe modification to the operation parameter of the third user premisesdevice is different from the condition associated with the first userpremises device and is different from the condition associated with thesecond user premises device; accessing device permissions for the thirduser premises device, wherein the device permissions specify whether theoperation parameter of the third user premises device is modifiable byother devices; and generating and transmitting, by the user premisesdevice management system, a third signal to the third user premisesdevice, wherein the third signal comprises an instruction to modify theoperation parameter of the third user premises device in accordance withthe rule.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third user premisesdevice comprises a multimedia presentation device and wherein modifyingthe operation parameter of the third user premises device comprisesmodifying a manner in which a content item is presented.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first, second and third user premises devicesare located remotely from the user premises device management system. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the condition associated with the firstuser premises device indicates at least one of a presence of an occupantin a user premises and a location of an occupant in a user premises. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal and the third signal areprovided using the same protocol.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst and third user premises devices communicate using differentprotocols and wherein the first signal is received from a protocolconversion system and the third signal is transmitted to the third userpremises device through the protocol conversion system.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the protocol conversion system is co-located with atleast one of the first, second, and third user premises devices andwherein the user premises device management system is located remotelyfrom the protocol conversion system.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinprior to receiving the first signal, the method further comprises:receiving, at the user premises device management system, registrationinformation for the first user premises device; and receiving, at theuser premises device management system, information defining the rulebased on the condition associated with the first user premises device.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the registration information comprisesa designation of the first user premises device as at least one of: asender device configured to send signals to the user premises devicemanagement system and a receiver device configured to receive signalsfrom the user premises device management system.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the condition indicated by the first signal comprises a userpremises being devoid of occupants and wherein the instruction carriedin the third signal specifies at least one of: lowering a temperatureand raising the temperature of the user premises.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the third user premises device comprises a mobiledevice, and wherein the modification to the operation parameter of thethird user premises device comprises displaying a message that prompts auser to take action.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the messageindicates an incentive for the user to take action.
 13. A methodcomprising: receiving, at a user premises device management system,device registration information for a first user premises device, asecond user premises device, and a third user premises device;assigning, by the user premises device management system, the first userpremises device and the second user premises device a role comprising atleast one of: a sender device configured to send signals to the userpremises device management system and a receiver device configured toreceive signals from the user premises device management system;assigning, by the user premises device management system, devicepermissions for the third user premises device, wherein the devicepermissions specify whether an operation of the third user premisesdevice is modifiable by other devices; and receiving and registering auser specified rule defining an action to take upon detection of acondition associated with the first user premises device and a conditionassociated with the second user premises device, wherein the actioncomprises transmitting an instruction to the third user premises devicedifferent from the first user premises device and the second userpremises device to modify the operation of the third user premisesdevice, wherein the operation of the third user premises device to bemodified is different from the condition associated with the first userpremises device and the condition associated with the second userpremises device.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:assigning device permissions for the first user premises device and thesecond user premises device, wherein the device permissions specify atleast one of device information that is accessible by other devices anddevice functionality that is accessible by other devices.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the device permissions are defined by a user. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein the device registration informationcomprises a protocol in which the first user premises devicecommunicates.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and thirduser premises devices communicate using different protocols and whereinthe device registration information is received from a protocolconversion system different from each of the first and third userpremises devices and the user premises device management system.
 18. Amethod comprising: receiving, at a communication interface system, afirst signal from a first device, wherein the first signal is formattedaccording to a first protocol and indicates an operational change of thefirst device; receiving, at a communication interface system, a secondsignal from a second device, wherein the second signal is formattedaccording to a second protocol and indicates an operational change ofthe second device; converting the first signal into a third protocoldifferent from the first protocol; converting the second signal into thethird protocol different from the second protocol; transmitting, fromthe communication interface system, the first signal and the secondsignal to a device management system according to the third protocol,wherein the device management system is located remotely from a userpremises and is configured to determine a modification to an operationof a user premises device, different from the first device and thesecond device, based on the operational change of the first device andthe operational change of the second device, wherein the modification tothe operation of the user premises device is different from theoperational change associated with the first device and the operationalchange associated with the second device; receiving a third signal fromthe device management system in response to the first signal and thesecond signal, the third signal comprising an instruction to perform themodification to the operation of the user premises device, wherein thethird signal is transmitted based on accessed device permissions for theuser premises device, the accessed device permissions specifying whetherthe modification to the operation of the user premises device ismodifiable by other devices; converting the third signal from the thirdprotocol to a fourth protocol; and transmitting the third signal to theuser premises device according to the fourth protocol.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: receiving, at the communication interfacesystem, a fourth signal from the user premises device, the fourth signalcommunicated according to the fourth protocol; converting the fourthsignal into the third protocol; and transmitting the fourth signal tothe device management system in the third protocol.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: transmitting device registrationinformation for each of the first device, second device, and userpremises device to the device management system; and transmitting, tothe device management system, a rule specifying the modification to theoperation of the user premises device to be performed when theoperational change of the first device is detected.